Commemorative biographical record of Hartford County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Pt 2, Part 46

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1172

USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Commemorative biographical record of Hartford County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Pt 2 > Part 46

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FREDERICK N. WILSON, brother of our subject, was born July 12, 1848, at Wilson's Station, where he now resides. He attended the Bucktown dis- trict school, Mrs. S. John Mills (now deceased) being his first teacher, and later was a student in the private schools of Deacon Woodford at Wind- sor, and James Bird on Pavilion street, Hartford. This was followed by a course at the Connecticut Literary Institute, Suffield. When his school days were over he spent a year or two on the home farm, after which he engaged in teaming for a short time. and for a year was in a store at Long Meadow, Mass., as he had taken a course in a commercial college at Hartford. He worked as a machinist in Hartford for ten years, and, being a natural me- chanic, he took up watch and clock repairing. With some instruction he was soon able to do excellent work in that line, and continues to engage in the same at the present time. His sympathies are usu- ally with the Democratic party, but he is not strictly partisan, supporting the man whom he believes best qualified to fill the office. He is a thorough Chris- tian gentleman, highly respected for his sterling worth and strict integrity ; is a member of the First Baptist Church of Hartford, and has served as su- perintendent of the Sabbath-school for several years as Wilson, Conn., which was started by his mother about fifty years ago.

COLLINS BENJAMIN GRIFFIN. The Grif- fin family is descended from distinguished English ancestry, and the subject of this sketch, a prominent agriculturist of West Suffield, is of the fifth genera- tion in descent from John Griffin, a native of Eng- land, who came to America in Colonial times and settled in the town of Windsor. He had been granted a large tract of land in that town, with other tracts elsewhere, and became a man of in . fluence, his refinement and high character being appreciated in the new community. While chas- ing a heifer one day he grew over-heated, and

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stopped for water at what is niw called Lord Grif- fin's spring, near Rainbow, took a sudden chill, and died at the spring. His remains were interred in the old cemetery at Windsor.

Benoni Griffin, son of the pioneer, was born and reared in Windsor, and made farming his oc- cupation. In early manhood he removed to what is now Granby township, where he owned a large amount of land and for many years was prominent in local affairs. During the Revolution he refused to take up arms against England, but at different times he furnished cattle, sheep and other supplies to feed the American army. He married a Spanish lady, Mary DeLacy, and had eight children : Peter, Benjamin, Neinian, Phineas, Levi, Abram, Betsey (Mrs. Thomas Holcomb), and Martha.

Levi Griffin, our subject's grandfather, was born in Granby, in 17-, and resided there through- out his life upon a farm. He owned a valuable es- tate and was an influential citizen, his education be- ing excellent for that day. In politics he was a Democrat, and he took keen interest in public ques- tions. He was an ensign in the State militia, and during the war of 1812 went to Middletown, Conn., with his company, intending to go to the seat of war; but word came that peace was declared, and he returned home. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Holcomb, died at their homestead, their remains being interred in the old Granby cem- etery. They had the following children : Sarah and Mary (twins), who died in childhood; Levi (de- ceased), who settled in the West; Lyman ; and Sim- mons.

Lyman Griffin, our subject's father, was born Jan. 22, 1800, and after completing the course of study offered in the district schools he attended the high school at Simsbury and a select school at Ta- riffville, conducted by Cicero Holcomb. He was reared to farming on the homestead, but as a young man became interested in the Farmington canal and invested his fortune in two boats. When the canal was abandoned he lost heavily, and had to begin life anew. For some years he followed farming at the old home, and in 1870 he removed to a farm in West Suffield, where his remaining years were spent, his death occurring Nov. 28, 1885. Politically he was a Democrat, but he never sought office. His religious views were liberal, but for years he sang in the choir of the Episcopal Church at Granby. In 1830 he was married in Granby to Miss Harriet Davis, who still resides at the homestead, being re- markably strong mentally and physically for a lady of eighty-seven years. She was born in Granby, May 30, 1813, a daughter of Silas and Matilda (Griffin) Davis, well-known residents of that lo- cality. Eleven children were born to Lyman and Harriet Griffin, namely: Chauncey, born Feb. 26, 1831, resides in Suffield ; Rensselaer, born Sept. 23, 1832, resides on a farm in West Suffield; Sarah, who died Jan. 29, 1895, married Andrew Jackson Davis, of Marion county, Ohio; Mary (deceased ) married Edgar Davis; Justin E. is a resident of

West Suffield; Collins B., our subject, was sixth in the order of birth; Miss Henrietta resides at the homestead ; Jennie (deceased) was the wife of Will- iam Viets, of Copper Hill; Adaline diel in child- hood; Catharine is the wife of Lyman Bristol, of Canton Center, and Lewis died in infancy.

Collins B. Griffin was born May 10, 1842, in Granby, where his education was begun, and as he was but a boy when the family removed to West Suffield he continued his studies in the district schools, attending during the winter only. For some years of this time he made his home with Mrs. Dennison, and at seventeen the latter placed him in charge of her farm. Since Mrs. Dennison's death Mr. Griffin has conducted the estate, carrying on general farming, dairying, and tobacco culture, and by his industry and honesty has won a high repu- tation in the locality. Some years ago the old resi- dence was destroyed by fire, but Mr. Griffin has re- placed it with a modern building, while his barns, tobacco sheds and other improvements are of sub- stantial nature. He is a stanch Republican in poli- tics, although he does not aspire to office, and he is active in religious work as a member of the Con- gregational Church, in which he has been a deacon for four years past. On June 4, 1867, he was mar- ried in Suffield to Miss Emeline Matilda Phelon, daughter of Julius and Julia E. (Mecum) Phelon, prominent citizens of West Suffield. Mrs. Griffin, though now in ill-health, is a lady whose influence for good is recognized among her associates. They had two daughters, Miss Sarah L., born Oct. 21, 1868, graduated from the Normal School at New Britain, and taught in the public schools with suc- cess until her death March 27, 1900; and Miss Ber- tha King is at home.

WILLIAM T. BARBER, of East Windsor, a worthy representative of one of the oldest families in the county of Hartford, is of the seventh genera- tion of his family in the State, and descends from Thomas Barber, who came from England in early Colonial days, located in Windsor, Conn., and was also an early resident of Hartford, where his name appears on the records as far back as 1637. His descendants have been most prominent in the af- fairs of the State-religious, official, social and com- mercial. The line of descent of our subject's branch of the family from the original colonist is as fol- lows :

Josiah Barber, son of Thomas, the colonist, was born Feb. 15, 1653, and was known as Lieut. Josiah ; in 1677 he married Abigail Loomis, daughter of Lieut. Nathaniel Loomis ; her death took place Feb. 9, 1700, and his occurred Dec. 14, 1729. Jonathan Barber, great-great-grandfather of our subject, was born in 1693, and died Nov. 2, 1772 ; his wife. Rachel, was born in 1696, and died March 24, 1778. Oliver Barber, great-grandfather, was born Jan. 29, 1736, and died in 1820 ; his wife, Anna Root, of Westfield, Mass., was born in 1743, and died in 1823. Horace Barber (I), grandfather, was born in 1776, and

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died in 1839; his wife, Lydia Phelps, was born in Hebron, Conn., in 1779, and died in 1833. He and his son Buckley Phelps, father of our subject, will be spoken of in detail in the following paragraphs.

Horace Barber was the first of the family to lo- cate at Warehouse Point, in East Windsor town, although they had resided in its vicinity for years. He established a shipyard at the end of the bridge, and started at building sloops, rapidly increased his business, built vessels of a larger class, and had a great deal of money invested in sea-going vessels, when the "embargo" act went into effect, and he was financially ruined, but not crushed. He began life anew with enhanced business vigor. He found- ed what was afterward the famous Barber Distil- lery, and although the business was new to him, his product became a favorite with consumers, so he again waxed wealthy, and paid up in after years every dollar he owed when he failed in ship-build- ing, although some of the notes he had given had accrued interest in excess of the principal.

The children born to Horace and Lydia ( Phelps) Barber were Buckley Phelps; Caroline L., who was married to a Mr. Burdett, of New York; and Hor- ace, Jr. The last named graduated from Waslı- ington College and later from the Harvard Law School, was a professor in a Southern college, and prominent in the South as a politician. He was a bachelor.

Horace Barber, grandfather of William T., was a short, corpulent man, but very active. He held the office of deputy sheriff at one time, and at an- other was a justice of the peace. His house was headquarters for the prominent men of the day, and was noted for the rare entertainments given therein, which exceeded the usual events of the kind. Mr. Barber joined the Episcopal Church, and was one of the principal founders of the church in Ware- house Point, in which he became a leader, and in the faith of which he passed away.

Buckley P. Barber, father of William T., was born March 21, 1798, and died Aug. 22, 1878. He married Harriet Thompson, who was born Jan. 6, 1803, and died Sept. 29, 1876, and the remains of both were interred at Warehouse Point. They were the parents of four children: (1) Caroline L., born Jan. 18, 1823. was first married to Rev. J. Marshall Wiley, of Ellington, a son of Judge Wiley. Rev. Mr. Wiley was secretary of the Diocese of Connecti- cut, and for several years was rector of St. John's Church at Bridgeport, of which he had charge at the time of his death. His widow married George S. Sandford, who is now also deceased, and she resides on Strawberry Hill, in Stamford. (2) Will- iam T. is second in the family. (3) Elizabeth O. was married to A. B. Redfield, of Hartford, and died at Warehouse Point. (4) Horace, the youngest, re- sides at Warehouse Point. He married Caroline Wadsworth Allyn, and had one daughter, Gene- vieve, who died in Menton, France, Feb. 6, 1890.

Mr. Barber first entered business at Warehouse Point as a merchant, but at his father's death took

charge of the distillery, and operated it until he transferred it to his two sons, William T. and Hor- ace. He was a fine looking, well-built man; was a strong Democrat, and served one term in the Leg- islature ; was broad-minded and liberal, and freely contributed to every project designed to promote the welfare of the public.

William T. Barber was born in Warehouse Point, July 7, 1825, and was educated at Judge Hall's boarding school in Ellington, and at the Con- necticut Literary School, Suffield. At the age of seventeen years he went to New York as a clerk for WVm. Sloane, and in this employ continued until his marriage. In New York, Nov. 3, 1847, he wed- ded Miss Mary J. Post, who was born in that city Dec. 29, 1827, and died in Hartford, Conn., April 13, 1882, her remains being interred at Warehouse Point. She was a daughter of Gerardus and Susan (Abbott) Post, the former of whom was of Dutch descent, and the latter a native of New Orleans, La., of French origin, her family bearing the name of Labortout. In 1855 Mr. Barber returned to Warehouse Point and erected a dwelling, in which he and his family pass the summers. For eight years he was associated here with his brother in the distillery management, but aside from that business care he has led a retired life, though not a secluded one.

In politics Mr. Barber is a Democrat, and he has always been very popular with his party, for which he has done some energetic work. In 1856 he was elected to the State Legislature, and was again elected to that honorable body in 1872.

To Mr. and Mrs. Barber were born five children : William T., Jr., born Oct. 6, 1848, died in 1852. Josephine K., born in New York Feb. 1, 1851, is unmarried, and resides with her father. Bethuel and Buckley P. (2) (twins), were born in Ware- hous Point, Feb. 26, 1853 ; but one died when eight- een months old, and the other at the age of six years. Margaret Louise, born Jan. 6, 1855, is the widow of Frank Schlesinger, to whom she was mar- ried Dec. 10, 1890. Mr. Schlesinger was a son of August Schlesinger, a native of Lausanne, Switzer- land, who married a Miss Pitkin, of East Hartford, a direct descendant paternally of William Pitkin, the Colonial governor in 1766, and, maternally, of the Wolcotts. Frank Schlesinger was born in Con- necticut, and first married Miss Jennie Brisbane, of Charleston, S. C., who died in New York City in October, 1887. Frank Schlesinger died April 14, 1893. It is to be regretted that this branch will soon become extinct, as far as the name is concerned, Mr. Barber having no male children to perpetuate it.

LEWIS W. LADD, who for twenty-seven years was proprietor of the "Windsor Hotel," at Ware- house Point, is one of the most popular hotelmen in Connecticut and, in fact, the fame of his estab - lishment has extended throughout adjacent States. Perfect order and cleanliness, a thoroughly satis- factory cuisine, prompt and efficient service and

W. Lackey

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unfailing courtesy to guests are not always to be found in a small town, and the rare combination has so won the appreciation of the traveling public that many have heard of the excellence of the "Windsor Hotel" who have no other knowledge of Ware- house Point. When Mr. Ladd took charge in 1871 the hotel was small and of no reputation beyond local limits, but under his progressive management it was soon raised to the rank of a first-class house with all modern improvements, making it attractive to the best class of guests. In June, 1898, Mr. Ladd retired from active business, selling the furnishings and renting the building, and at present he resides in Poquonock, where he is enjoying a well-earned leisure, the fruits of his past years of effort.

Mr. Ladd was born Jan. 21, 1841, in the town of Sprague (then Franklin), New London Co., Conn., and is of good pioneer stock, his descent be- ing traced from Enoch Ladd, the progenitor of all of the name in the United States. Septa Ladd, our subject's father, was a well-known agriculturist of New London county, and he and his wife, Patty A. Ladd, had a large family of children, mostly boys. The sons were all robust and stalwart, but none are now living except our subject and Charles H., a farmer at the old homestead. Three of the daughters also survive: Sarah A., widow of Mr. Burdick ; Jane (Mrs. Rufus Ladd) ; and Adeline (Mrs. Barbour).

Being reared a farmer boy, Mr. Ladd had only a district-school education, and at the age of twenty- one he left home to take a position as a jack-spin- ner in a mill in South Coventry, Conn. With char- acteristic adaptability and accuracy he quickly learned the details of the trade, becoming an ex- pert, and for twelve years he followed the busi- ness, spending some time at Merrow Station and Stafford, Conn. His health became impaired, ne- cessitating a change, and in 1870 he rented the "El- lington House," at Ellington, Conn., which he con- ducted for a year. In 1871 he took charge of his present hotel at Warehouse Point, and after a few years as a tenant purchased the property. In ap- pearance he suggests the ideal landlord which he has proved himself to be, his portly, well-propor- tioned frame, six feet in height and weighing 230 pounds, indicating good living, while his genial manner sets every one at ease in his presence. So- cially he and his family are prominent. He is iden- tified with Wolcott Lodge, No. 60, F. & A. M., at Stafford. In politics he is a gold Democrat, but he has never sought official honors, restricting his ef- forts on behalf of the party to the regular casting of his own vote.

In June, 1861, Mr. Ladd married Miss Jennie Graham, of Willington, Conn., who died in 1870, her remains being interred at her native place. Subse- quently he married Miss Mary A. Lyon, a native of Boston, who was for many years an efficient helpmeet to him in his business. On March 23, 1898, he former a third matrimonial union, this time

with Mrs. Philomina Metcalf, a native of France. Mr. Ladd has had two children, both by his first marriage: (1) Elmer L. died at the age of two and one-half years. (2) Jennie R. married Charles WV. Moody, formerly a prominent insurance man of New Haven, but now residing in Pasadena, Cal., and has two sons, Graham and Wilbur. Mrs. Philomina Ladd, who is much esteemed among her circle of friends, was born March 29, 1844, a daugh- ter of Eloi and Pauline Bayard. She married (first) Samuel Metcalf, a skilled mechanic, who was superintendent of a mill at Poquonock for a number of years, and was well known in the Masonic Fraternity, in which he attained the 32d degree. Of the three children born to this union the eldest, Henry Metcalf, is manager of the Grand Union Tea Co., of Hartford; Thomas WV. Metcalf resides at Poquonock ; and Emma died in childhood.

Mr. and Mrs. Ladd have a fine home on the bluff overlooking the river, and surrounded by hedges and drives.

JAMES H. PRATT, secretary and treasurer of the Blakeslee Forging Co., is one of the leading business men of Southington, and is rapidly work- ing his way to a foremost position among the prom- inent manufacturers of the county. Genuine suc- cess is not likely to be the result of mere chance or fortune, but is something to be labored for and sought out with consecutive effort. It is in this way that our subject has prospered.

Mr. Pratt was born in Southington Aug. 3 1853, and is a son of Daniel Pratt, who was also of Southington nativity, born Oct. 2, 1821, and was for many years engaged in farming at what is known as Clark Farms, but since his retirement from act- tive business, in 1891, he has resided with our sub- ject. In 1836 he married Nancy D. Beardsley, a daughter of William D. and Elvira (Stevens) Beardsley, of Naugatuck, Conn., and to their union four children were born, of whom three reached years of maturity: Caroline E., wife of John H. Holt ; Frederick W. ; and James H.

Eli Pratt, the paternal grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Wolcott Nov. 3, 1781, and died Aug. 25, 1858. He, too, was an agriculturist, and lived at Clark Farms, Southington. He was dea- con in the Congregational Church from 1815 to 1858, and was highly respected by all who knew him. On March 28, 1803, he married Abigail Hitch- cock, a daughter of David and Hannah ( Doolittle) Hitchcock. Her father was born June 29, 1742, and lived in the southwestern part of Southington, where he died July 27, 1814. He was a son of Ben- jamin Hitchcock, who was born March 25. 1696, and was married, Oct. 1, 1718, to Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Joseph and Esther ( Benedict) Ives. Ben- jamin Hitchcock held the military rank of captain. He lived in Cheshire, Conn., where he died Feb. 12, 1767. His father, John Hitchcock, was mar- ried, Jan. 18, 1670, to Abigail, daughter of Nathaniel

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD).

Merriman, of New Hampshire, and about 1676 he removed from New Haven to Wallingford, where he died July 6, 1716. He was a son of Matthias Hitchcock, the founder of the family in the New World, who came from London to Boston in 1635 on the ship "Susan and Ellen," and in 1639 be- came one of the first settlers of New Haven. He died in November, 1669, at the age of fifty-nine years.

Stephen Pratt, the great-grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Saybrook, Conn., June 30, 1740, and was thrice married, his first wife being Phebe Atkins, the second Hannah Davidson and the third Phebe Andrews. He had nine children. For sev- eral years he served as a soldier in the French and Indian war before moving to Southington, where he died in 1823.

Christopher Pratt, the father of Stephen, was born Nov. 4, 1712, and was married, June 14, 1739, to Sarah Pratt, daughter of Daniel Pratt. They had seven children. His death occurred in Wall- ingford.

Ensign William Pratt, the father of Christopher, was born about 1674, and was married, Oct. 8, 1700, to Hannah Hough. He lived in Pautapaug, and was prominent in civil and military affairs.

Joseph Pratt, father of Ension Pratt, was a large land holder in the Pautapaug Quarter, and also in the town of Hebron. He died Aug. 12, 1703, at the age of fifty-five years.

Lieut. William Pratt, father of Joseph, was the progenitor of the family in this county. He is supposed to have gone with Rev. Thomas Hooker to Newtown (now Cambridge), Mass., in 1633, and thence to Hartford, Conn. In June, 1636, he married Elizabeth Clark, daughter of John Clark, of Saybrook, afterward of Milford, and formerly of Great Mundon, Hertfordshire, England. Lieut. Pratt attended the General Court as a deputy to the twenty-third session, which convened in Hart- ford May 9, 1678, and died the same year.

Lieut. Pratt was a son of Rev. William and Elizabeth Pratt, of Hertfordshire, England, the former of whom was baptized at Baldock in Octo- ber, 1562, was inducted rector of the parish of Stevenage, in Hertfordshire, Dec. 6, 1598, and died in 1629, aged sixty-seven years. Rev. William Pratt was a son of Andrew Pratt, who was born at Baldock, a son of Thomas and Joan Pratt, of that place. Andrew was born in February, 1539, just one hundred years previous to the date when the settlers of Hartford drew their home lots.

James H. Pratt, whose name introduces this sketch, remained on the homestead until eighteen years of age, attended the public schools and Lewis Academy, and also took a course in Yale Business College, New Haven. He began his business carcer as clerk in a general store in Cheshire, in 1871, and the following year came to Southington and ac- cepted a similar position in the store of Pratt & Neale. In 1875 he purchased Mr. Neale's interest, and business was then conducted under the firm

name of Pratt Bros. until 1878, when he bought his brother's interest, being alone in business until 1888. Subsequently he was employed as a travel- ing salesman for the Atwater Manufacturing Co. for several years, and in 1895 assisted in organizing the Blakeslee Forging Company, successors to Blakeslee & Co., was elected its first secretary and treasurer and is still filling those positions.

In September, 1877, Mr. Pratt married Miss Nellie A. Kibbey, daughter of William B. and Martha (Wheeler) Kibbey, of Newport, N. H., and to them have been born two children, Lella E. and Florine, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Pratt is independent in politics, and in his social re- lations is a Knight Templar, being a member of St. Elmo Commandery.

FRANKLIN BARNES BRADLEY, a promi- nent representative of the business and industrial in- terests of Hartford county, is now secretary and treasurer of the Bridgeport Power Co., of Bridgeport, and also senior member of the firm of F. B. Brad- ley & Son, brokers, of Hartford. His home, how- ever, is in Southington. Tireless energy, keen per- ception, honesty of purpose and good business abil- ity, are numbered among his chief characteristics, and have brought to him a well-merited success.

Mr. Bradley was born in Southington, Feb. 20, 1843, a son of Amon and Sylvia (Barnes) Bradley, a sketch of whom, together with a record of the early ancestors of our subject, will be found elsewhere. He was reared in his native town, and began his education in its public schools, but later attended Lewis Academy, and prepared for college at Hop- kin's grammar school; New Haven. He then en- tered Yale, from which he was graduated in 1864, at the age of twenty-one years.

From 1865 to 1867 Mr. Bradley was associated with his father in general merchandising in South- ington, and during the following two years with Frederick Woodruff. In 1869 he went to Cleve- land, Ohio, where with A. L. Lewis, under the firm name of Bradley & Lewis, he established the first carriage bolt manufactory of that city, and later the name was changed to Bradley, Lewis & Co., when Samuel Armstrong was admitted a partner. Mr. Bradley, after continuing in the business for three years, sold out his interest, and then returned to Southington. In 1873 he was elected secretary and treasurer of the Southington Eyelet Co., which position he held until 1880, and in 1882 and 1883 was secretary and treasurer of the Excelsior Knife Co., of Torrington, Conn. In the year 1884 he became identified with the Bridgeport Power Co., of Bridge- port, Conn., and soon afterward was elected sec- retary and treasurer of the company, which posi- tion he still retains. This company rents rooms with power, and manufacture carpenters' steel and iron squares. In 1894, with his son, Amon Edward, Mr. Bradley established the Beaton & Bradley Co., of Southington, manufacturers of floor and ceiling

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Commemorative biographical record of Hartford County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Pt 2, Part 46

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1172

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1172